The latest version of the legendary Volkswagen Transporter van, which celebrated 60 years of production this year, has won the Best Small Van category in the What Van? Awards 2011, while its smaller sibling, the new Volkswagen Caddy, was also highly commended in the Light Van category.

This is the fourth award for the new Transporter this year having been named Medium Panel Van of the Year, Best Medium Van and Standard Panel Van awards from Fleet Van, Van Fleet World and iVan publications, respectively.

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Commenting on the new Transporter to Tachoblog, Paul Barker, Editor of What Van? said, ‘The Volkswagen Transporter underwent a significant refresh early in 2010, and it was enough to promote it to the top of the class. Excellent engines, cabin and a great drive add up to a winning combination, so the new Transporter is easy to recommend.’

As well as revised exterior styling, the new Transporter also offers better value with improved specification and additional safety features, including as ESP and daytime running lights as standard. It also has a new, more refined 2.0-litre TDI common rail engine range with Euro5 emissions and lower running costs thanks to better fuel economy and extended service intervals.

As ever, there are a wide range of Transporter models boasting load volumes from 5.8 m³ to 9.3 m³ and payloads from 749 kg to 1,333 kg. The range includes short and long wheelbase panel vans, kombi or single- and double-chassis cabs with a factory-fit dropside available, plus the passenger carrying window van and shuttle models with up to nine seats.

The Volkswagen Transporter is one of the longest running, most iconic and durable vans ever. Over 10 million have been produced and it has evolved through five generations to become one of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ best-selling models globally, as well as the number one imported van in the UK.